The prevention and treatment of persisting olfactory dysfunction following COVID-19 infection; a suite of Cochrane living systematic reviews

This project proposes a suite of Cochrane systematic reviews on the prevention and treatment of olfactory dysfunction due to COVID-19. It is addressed to the Evidence Synthesis Programme. Olfactory dysfunction is a cardinal symptom of COVID-19 infection. This usually takes the form of partial or complete loss of olfactory function (hyposmia and anosmia respectively). For a significant proportion of patients this is only a transient phenomenon, and they recover a normal sense of smell relatively quickly. For others the problem can persist. It is a debilitating condition with a major impact on quality of life. The primary aims and objectives are: 1. To identify those interventions that have been used, or proposed, to prevent or treat olfactory dysfunction due to COVID-19 infection. 2. Working with patients and other stakeholders to identify a set of prioritised outcomes for use in systematic reviews evaluating the effectiveness of those treatments. 3. To publish - rapidly - a suite of Cochrane systematic reviews evaluating the effectiveness of these treatments, and any adverse effects, using the prioritised outcomes. 4. Anticipating limited data at this stage of the pandemic, to maintain these reviews as 'living' systematic reviews for a period of at least 24 months. 5. To inform practice (if effective treatments are identified) and research (if further trials are necessary). This work will be undertaken by an experienced team at Cochrane ENT using standard Cochrane methods. The identification of interventions and outcomes, and in particular the critical engagement with patients to do the latter, builds on experience of the Group in doing this in a number of other clinical areas. The Group will also use its experience of doing formal and informal 'living' systematic reviews. The key output is a suite of living Cochrane systematic reviews updated regularly over the next two years (the suite will comprise at least two reviews, as trials evaluating two interventions have already been identified). Secondary outputs include a prioritised list of patient-focused outcomes for systematic reviews of trials in patients with olfactory dysfunction.